EFSC Trustees OK New 3-Year Faculty Contract

A new three-year collective bargaining agreement with full-time faculty was approved Monday by the Eastern Florida State College Board of Trustees.

The contract with the United Faculty of Florida Brevard Chapter runs from 2015-18 and includes a 7.5 percent pay increase, with 2.5 percent hikes given annually over the three years.

UFF members ratified the contract last week in a 211-7 vote. Trustees approved it 4-0.

“We’re very fortunate to have outstanding faculty who are dedicated to helping students succeed through efforts that include highly individualized attention,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

“The new agreement recognizes their professionalism and high standards, and ensures we will continue to have the best instructors providing the best education in our classrooms.”

The UFF Brevard Chapter represents 267 full-time faculty at Eastern Florida.

In college athletics, Richey announced the formation of two new varsity teams. They are men’s tennis and women’s golf and are scheduled to start competing in the fall of 2016.

The teams will give Eastern Florida 11 varsity squads, which is the most of the 24 colleges competing in the Florida College System Activities Association.

The college also will field a men’s non-varsity club lacrosse team beginning in spring 2016.

Eastern Florida President Dr. Jim Richey said the programs will provide more opportunities for student-athletes and enhance the collegiate experience.

Eastern Florida already fields teams in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis, softball and volleyball, and has been gaining state and national recognition for their achievements.

“Eastern Florida builds champions in the classroom and on the playing field, and these new programs will give our student-athletes new ways to succeed in both arenas,” said Richey, “We can’t wait for them to start competing.”

Said Jeff Carr, Eastern Florida’s Associate Vice President for Athletics: “The programs are more evidence of the important role that athletics is playing in the college’s future, and with it the well-rounded educational experience that students receive here.”

In other business, Alan Landman was named chair of the Board of Trustees and Moses L. Harvin was chosen vice chair.

Landman is an attorney in Brevard County and has served on the EFSC board since 2009, most recently as its vice chair. Harvin joined the board in 2011 and is President and CEO of American Services Technology, Inc., a company that serves federal agencies including the Air Force, Army, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Energy.

Both men have played a central role in leading Eastern Florida to state college status and launching 27 new academic programs, including bachelor's degrees.